Over the years, Nissan has produced some stellar sports cars, from the Z to the Silvia. But the king of them all is the GT-R. From its earliest days, this car consistently won races and set the bar high for future performance. The modern-day GT-R has stunned admirers and drivers with an equal helping of beautiful design and top-of-the-line performance. When the car disappeared from the Nissan lineup after the 2021 model year, fans everywhere thought it was gone for good, but in an unexpected announcement, Nissan revealed the GT-R is back and better than ever for 2024. The redesigned model even has two special editions focusing on higher performance and greater luxury. Your local Nissan dealer is sure to have more details on all the differences, features, and specifications when the 2024 GT-R hits the market this summer.
From Powerful Four-Door to Sleek Sports Car
In 1969, Nissan unveiled the Skyline GT-R as a rear-wheel drive sedan with racing in the DNA. It had a powerful 160 hp inline-six engine and soon began winning races, claiming no fewer than 52 victories across Japan in its first three years on the market. The GT-R was originally a variant of the luxurious Skyline model, but its reputation soon overshadowed the car it was derived from. Many consider the 1989 Skyline GT-R R32 to be the first modern GT-R. Unlike the original, the R32 added a sophisticated all-wheel drive system and a turbocharged inline-six with 280 hp. This combination proved revolutionary, and when Nissan entered the R32 in the Japanese Touring Car Championship, it won every race it started over four seasons.
The R33 and R34 continue the Skyline GT-R tradition of winning races, improving performance, and becoming a staple of the sports car world. Nissan finally ended R34 production with a bang in 2002 when it offered the Z-Tune model with almost 500 hp and a top speed of over 200 mph. In 2009, the first stand-alone Nissan GT-R was produced. No longer sharing a platform with the Skyline, the new GT-R was designed as a legitimate supercar. The US market loved it, and the R35 quickly became a popular choice for those searching for a high-performing sports car. The modern design is sleek and powerful, and Nissan has never stopped perfecting the design.
Impressive Performance On or Off the Track
Blink, and you might miss the 2024 GT-R as it blows by you on the track. If you’re lucky enough to own one, you’ll be the one blowing by the competition on the track. The 3.8L V6 engine uses twin turbos to achieve 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque. These impressive numbers mean fast acceleration and an incredibly high top speed. How fast, you ask? This blazing car reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of around 200 mph. The large engine and carefully-tuned turbos make for a fast and sporty driving experience.
The GT-R also features the ATTESA ET-S all-wheel drive system, which helps maximize torque to each wheel in order to improve traction. Combine that with the finely-tuned racing suspension, and you have a car that handles precisely and sticks to the track. Anyone who enjoys performance cars will also appreciate the six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Cycling through the gears on the GT-R is a smooth and precise operation that gives you complete control over the car. The lightweight RAYS forged wheels and Brembo brakes make cornering a simple task. You can be as confident in your wheels and brakes as you are in the acceleration and handling capability of the GT-R.
A Luxurious Interior and a Sporty Exterior
The interior of the 2024 GT-R feels like stepping into a futuristic spaceship cockpit. The seats are shaped like race buckets but are decked out with luxurious seat coverings. Each special edition comes with unique interior options, like leather seats with special colors and unique badging. One of the best parts of the interior design is the heritage of the color choices, both in the interior and exterior––but more details on that later. Overall, the GT-R’s interior design is both futuristic and comfortable, with plenty of modern technology to make the driving experience more enjoyable while keeping all of the visceral feelings that make sports cars so much fun.
The GT-R has gone from a pretty regular-looking four-door sedan in 1969 to a sleek, aerodynamic, aggressive, and sporty supercar in 2024. The exterior design has been carefully analyzed and perfected to glide through the air with precision and elegance. While the GT-R has been an aerodynamic car for many years, the 2024 model has reached a new level of engineering, improving downforce without increasing drag. Although performance was the main concern in the design of the car’s exterior, the engineers made sure the car looks as good as it performs. The sleek curves, aggressive style, and sporty spoiler give the 2024 GT-R a high-end appearance and functionality. This car is stunning, and doesn’t care who knows.
Special Editions
The 2024 Nissan GT-R features two special editions: the T-Spec and the NISMO. The T-Spec features added colors, special badging, and a carefully crafted interior luxury unique to the trim. The T-Spec also has two exclusive exterior colors: Midnight Purple and Millenium Jade. These colors celebrate the history of the GT-R. With the leather-appointed seats with synthetic suede inserts, you see and feel the quality as soon as you open the door. The quilted stitching brings a unique and stylish look to the headliner. With unique upholstery colors to choose from, the T-Spec is a truly luxurious and special edition of the GT-R.
The NISMO edition of the GT-R is built with improved performance and unique design features. NISMO stands for NISsan MOtorsport and comes from Nissan’s rich history on the racetrack. A track is a testing ground for vehicles, and you can learn a lot about performance when you push cars to their limits. Nissan uses this track-based knowledge to improve the designs of its vehicles across the board and also implements it in a special way in the NISMO editions. The 2024 GT-R NISMO features upgraded turbochargers, a reprogrammed transmission, a stiffer chassis, and improved brakes, wheels, and tires. The improved turbos increase engine output to 600 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque. While the performance upgrades are the main reason to go with the NISMO edition, the aesthetics have also been upgraded. Some beautiful red accents have been added to the interior, and the exterior features a Stealth Gray color that is unique to the NISMO edition.
A Thrilling Sports Car
Many people have heard of the GT-R, but not everyone is familiar with its history. While the modern GT-R has only been around since 2008, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this model’s legendary past. Over the decades, Nissan has perfected the design of the GT-R, which is definitely why the 2024 edition hits just right. The powerful acceleration, perfectly sculpted seats, and aerodynamic body make for a thrilling driving experience.
Anyone fortunate enough to own a GT-R is certain to turn some heads with their car. The beautiful styling alone makes this car a head-turner. When you factor in the incredible performance, you’ll need to turn your head just to see it fly by on the track. Whether on or off the track, the Nissan GT-R wows the audience and driver. The top speed, acceleration, and handling are clearly the result of a car that is at the top of its game and competes with the best of them.
